An illustrious career
Actor, director, theater artist…. Ratna Pathak Shah wears many hats with aplomb, garnering critical and mass acclaim in a career that spans more than four decades.
Shah’s portrayal of the haughty and independent Maya Sarabhai in the hit TV series Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004–2006) and her role as an air hostess in the comedy sitcom Idhar Udhar made her a household name. She entered the film industry with the pathbreaking `Mandi’ in 1983, directed by Shyam Benegal, and bagged the National Award for Best Supporting Actress in her very first film.
Shah’s artistic canvas expanded with her nuanced portrayals of characters in roles that blended humor, depth, and authenticity. She stood out in popular films like Kapoor & Sons, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Golmaal 3, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Khoobsurat, Lipstick Under My Burkha, Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Attack, and Dhak Dhak, among others.
An integral member of the Indian theater scene for over 40 years, the 68-year-old actor also co-manages the theater company Motley, founded by her husband and actor Naseeruddin Shah, creating a synergy responsible for many well-received productions.
Shah credits theater for her growth, evolution, and grasp of acting. “More than films, theater has been the biggest learning laboratory for me,” explained Shah in an exclusive interview with Neeta Lal for India Currents. “It has taught me everything I know today about acting and other associated spheres of filmmaking. I feel all actors should do theater to learn the true essence of this craft.”
A formidable legacy
Not that she needed to learn much. Shah comes from a family with a rich theatrical and cinematic legacy. She is the daughter of veteran actress and director of Gujarati films Dina Pathak and the sister of actress Supriya Pathak, who is married to actor Pankaj Kapoor (father of Shahid Kapoor). So emoting in front of the camera was already in her genes.
Recalling her mother fondly, Shah once said in an interview that Dina “….loved people. They were her laboratory, her school of acting training. They were her university of ideas.”
Despite such a formidable legacy, Shah chose to carve her own path, refusing to be typecast in conventional Bollywood `heroine’ roles or hew to ossified cinematic standards. While the industry obsessed over fair skin and perfect figures, Shah focused on her acting skills. Whether playing the iconic Maya Sarabhai or an empowered woman in Lipstick Under My Burkha, Shah redefined how Indian women are portrayed in Bollywood.
But the versatile actor finds herself at a crossroads today despite her 40-year track record onstage and screen. She has no work right now, she says. “I’m currently unemployed as I don’t have any roles in hand. In fact, I’ve been completely without work for a whole year now.”
She keeps herself busy with production work at her theater company. “I read, travel and watch films,” she adds. Is she being too choosy about her roles? “Not really,” says Shah candidly. “I’d love to essay roles which have depth and meaning, but clearly they aren’t forthcoming for women of a certain age.”
A changing ecosystem
Yet Shah is pleased that the ecosystem is changing, creating new opportunities for women to play diverse roles on screen and behind the camera.. “I couldn’t imagine doing roles like Lipstick even a decade ago. So, things are definitely changing for the better. Also, it’s heartening to see more women on film sets now – as directors, producers, technicians, and choreographers. Sets earlier were dominated by males. All this augurs well for diversity and inclusiveness.”
Given her depth of experience, what advice would Shah offer to young actors starting out in Bollywood? “None,” Shah says succinctly. “The new generation of actors is already very smart and clued into their craft. Their approach is far better than what used to be of new actors earlier. They work on their roles and their looks and engage with fans on various social media sites. The New Age directors and storytellers, too, have a refreshingly novel approach to filmmaking. All this bodes well for the future of the Indian film industry.”
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